Four reasons we need open source beat making software

The Beat Making Lab is back, with Pierce Freelon and the Apple Juice Kid. In this video, the music-making duo walks us through why the world needs open source beat making software.

They first shared their idea and vison to create free and open source software to take to youth of the Congo with us last year after they attended and were inspired at the Rio+Social conference held by the United Nations.

So, why do we need open source beat making software, anyway?

#4 — It doesn't exist (yet)

When the Apple Juice Kid, like many others, goes to make a beat he needs many things to make that happen: a drum machine, synthesizer, sampler... This doesn't exist as one, free, downloadable package. Yet.

#3 — It's free

Beat making is expensive; unfortunately, it's not something everyone can engage in. To allow people of all types, from all backgrounds and walks of life to have access beat making, we need free, open source software.

#2 — Bootlegging isn't sustainable

It's llegal. It's frustrating. And, it can be dangerous.

#1 — Pamoja

This word in the Congo refers to a way of life, a mentality and philosophy of being "in solidarity." Free, open source beat making software is an opportunity to bring the world closer together, connecting people and cultures, through music.

To be part of this open source software movement, join the Beat Making Lab mailing list for news and ways to participate. Watch their latest video here.

This software will be useless without proper drivers for audio/MIDI equipment. It's not a problem to create music on Linux with Renoise, EnergyXT2 and TAL (I only miss Synth1 and a good sampler - the one in EnergyXT was perfect but not implemented in EnergyXT2 - but this covers somehow Renoise). But no ability to fully run most of those audio/midi things (not mentioning programmers for modern synth) really limits you down to "before W98" era.

ardour, hydrogen, rosegarden, lmms, LADSPA/DSSI/LV2, milky tracker, and so many more... many available via ubuntu studio or jambuntu.org
The unix/linux philosophy is do one thing and do it well, and provide a common interface for usability. Jack is the common interface that allows midi and audio connectivity between the myriad of options available in the open source audio production world.

ardour, hydrogen, rosegarden, lmms, LADSPA/DSSI/LV2, milky tracker, and so many more... many available via ubuntu studio or jambuntu.org
The unix/linux philosophy is do one thing and do it well, and provide a common interface for usability. Jack is the common interface that allows midi and audio connectivity between the myriad of options available in the open source audio production world.

What we have here is another example of people with knowledge only of the commercial windows/Mac sound making eco system coming along thinking they can "do it better" with open source.

If they'd bother to look they'd have realised that there is a myriad of software already here (including everything on their list), as mentioned in other posts, and the jack audio connection kit is a better implementation of midi/audio mapping than in any other os. Open source already has it all. What these clowns don't realise is that we don't need them to "fix it"... LOL...

and the dude complaining about midi compatibility obviously has never tried. Everything from my Roland gear, my virus, drums machines, keyboards, mixers, sequencers all talk happily and without issue with Linux midi implementations (and without drivers needing installation) Inclusive of all USB standards compliant devices. If you ain't using standards compliant hardware, then don't bitch when it only works with proprietary drivers written to coral YOU into a commercial OS that scratches their backs, allowing them to drop support for your hardware in the next OS release forcing you to buy the next supported device.... LOL..

ardour, hydrogen, rosegarden, lmms, LADSPA/DSSI/LV2, milky tracker, and so many more... many available via ubuntu studio or jambuntu.org
The unix/linux philosophy is do one thing and do it well, and provide a common interface for usability. Jack is the common interface that allows midi and audio connectivity between the myriad of options available in the open source audio production world.

I have posted twice and both posts are missing - even though were not offensive.

Answering on:
"and the dude complaining about midi compatibility obviously has never tried."
No - I haven't. But the list of unsupported or not fully working equipment on official ALSA site is enough to say it. Also I not complaining about midi implementation but about equipment drivers/software. My midi keys work out of box with my Ubuntu. But many features require external software not available on Linux. Your Virus may work fine but Mashine will be a bit limited right?

Don't forget the excellent FLOSS DJing app MIXXX.org.http://mixxx.org/
Unlike many open source DAWs (which tend to feel subtly outdated and overly fidgety), Mixxx has a nice set of professional-feeling features and first class UI that help you have a successful experience on the first try. Match it up with some simple hardware controllers and some samples (or your favorite MP3s) and you're in business!

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Jen Wike Huger | Content Manager for Opensource.com. Storyteller for tech, open source, and Linux communities. On Twitter @jenwike. See some of my projects at Jen.io. Passionate about the open movement, Raleigh, slow food, writing, my family, and a whole lot more. More about me: NC State graduate in Communications,

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